The Australian Automobile Association’s new pre-federal election policy platform says government needs to bring the country’s entire transport system into the modern era.
The AAA’s policy suggests Australia urgently needs comprehensive policy action and cites a $930 billion infrastructure backlog and worsening congestion as red flags.
The association’s chief executive Michael Bradley says Australia’s next government, regardless of party alliance, needs to develop a new Land Transport White Paper to replace the aging 2004 policy lacks strategy.
“Our transport system isn’t keeping up with growing demand, and our economy and quality of life are suffering as a result,” he says
“With congestion continuing to worsen, transport costs continuing to rise, and national road safety targets all being missed, voters want their taxes ploughed back into the roads, trains, buses, and cycleways needed to relieve pressure and get their lives flowing again,” Bradley explains frankly.
A study undertaken by the AAA of 2000 motorists shows 84% believe transport infrastructure investment decisions are based on politics rather than community needs. Additionally, 67% think government does not have an effective, properly funded transport infrastructure plan to cope with Australia’s future requirements.
Bradley says the reforms and change needed has “few cheap solutions”, but says motorists are already paying for the projects major corporations and big business seek federal funding for.
“Australians motorists will pay almost $60 billion in federal taxes over the coming four years and without significant reforms, they will continue to get a very poor return on their investment,” he reveals.
“We pay a lot for the privilege of personal mobility and it’s very clear that Australians expect so much more than they are currently getting for that investment,” Bradley adds.
The AAA says with a 25% population increase since the last Land Transport policy was formed under the Howard government, the time has come to modernise Australia’s entire transport plan from the top down.
“Transport investment is good economics, but we can’t simply invest on an ad hoc basis,” he warns.
“The development and management of our national transport system is today fragmented and unfocused and until we rectify this, consumers will continue to face longer commutes, higher costs, and a less safe network.”
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